President Bob Hermann, Jr. (Information Technology: Administration | Retired) rang the Rotary bell at 6:35 PM and called to order our Club's fourth evening meeting at MoMo's. He welcomed everyone in the audience and noted that today (October 24, 2024) was Rotary's annual World Polio Day. Rotarians around the world use this day as an opportunity to showcase the status of the eradication effort and to reiterate steps that need to be taken to ultimately achieve a lasting world free of all polioviruses. President Bob reported that currently 55 cases of polio have occurred in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
This evening's Visiting Rotarians were Volodymyr Goshylyk from the Rotary Club of Berkeley and Jean Akide from the Rotary Club of Nairobi. Our guests were Jennifer Braschayko, Mary Gorski, Claudia Gonzalvez, Howard Hill, Albert Lee, Elena Lee, Lisa Lee, Lydia Patterson, Henry Rubin, Eric Sleigh, and Kevin Tran.
Family House
Tonight's well attended meeting followed on the heels of an afternoon tour of Family House down the street on Mission Bay Boulevard North led by Chief Development Officer Michele Martinez Reese from Family House and Past President Christopher Wiseman from our Club. Family House serves as a home away from home for families of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses by providing physical comfort and emotional support, free from financial concerns. This Rotary year our Club awarded Family House a $5,000 grant to fund the Family House Dinner Program.
New Members Inducted
President Bob invited Dan Joraanstad (Financial Services: Advising | Retired) to lead the induction of two new members. Dan introduced Jennifer Braschayko (Strategic Negotiations | Google) and Mary Gorski (Retired).
- Jennifer Braschayko is Dan Joraanstad's niece. She has participated in several of our Club's service projects over the past few years, including three Bike Builds. Jennifer works in cloud services with Google. Margaret Miley (Hospitality: Hotels | Retired) will be Jennifer's mentor.
- Mary Gorski is a third-generation San Franciscan. She is raising three daughters and very involved with youth and their education. Mary is the co-parent president at Urban School. As a new Rotarian, Mary is looking forward to participating in community service projects. Emily Borland (Engineering, Architecture, and Construction | Emily Borland Specifications) is Mary Gorski's mentor.
- The Club gave a warm welcome to both Jennifer and Mary This was also the first time that our Club had inducted a member at an Evening Meeting.
Scott Plakun's DEI Update
Past Club President and currently Rotary District 5150 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Chair Scott Plakun (Management Consulting | The Plakun Group) delivered an impressive update on DEI efforts. Scott shared how the DEI Program began in our Club and flowed into the District. Our Club's DEI activities have included food, activities, and personal histories, resulting in learning more and gaining a better understanding of each other. The Club DEI Committee hosts an ongoing DEI Film Festival open to all. Join us for the next film, Free the Mind, on November 17, 2024.
Emergency Services Day 2024
President Bob gratefully acknowledged the efforts of Eric Schmautz (Banking: Management | Retired) and Nancy Graydon (Development | Glaucoma Research Foundation) and the Emergency Service Day Committee. This year's Program presented a heart-warming view of the people on the ground serving and protecting our San Francisco and Bay Area communities. We are fortunate to be so protected. Read full story here.
Sponsoring a Youth Missionary TripImmediate Past President Sunny Singh (Financial Services: Advising | PK Wealth Management) introduced Elena Lee. Led by Allan Herzog (Financial Services: Advising | Wells Fargo Advisors) and Tom Brunner (Nonprofit Management | Glaucoma Research Foundation), Elena was the beneficiary of a $2,000 grant to fund her missionary trip to Croatia to sing with the Voena Choir. She described the experience as an opportunity for self-discovery. We look forward to Elena becoming a Rotarian in the future!
Upcoming Events
Check the Club's calendar for upcoming meetings and events. The next Evening Meeting will be on November 21, 2024.
Door Prizes
Tonight's winners were Kayla Trunecek (Staff Development | FTI Delta) and Elena Lee. Kayla won a personal, battery-operated fan, and Elena won a personal keychain alarm.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM. Everyone had a great time this evening.
Meeting Volunteers
President Bob thanked this evening's meeting volunteers: Robin Azevedo (Retail: Mattresses | Retired, McRoskey Mattress Company) for serving as scribe; Yana Sharma (Software Sales | IBM) and Eric Sleigh for serving as photographers; La Carre Ivy (Retired) for serving as greeter; and Dan Joraanstad for doing check-in at MoMo's.
